Tag Archives: suffolk county babysitters

Happy Thanksgivukkah!

untitled (5)Hanukkah begins at sundown this evening, which means Thankgiving and Hanukkah are celebrated together this year.  A new term Thanksgivukkah is being used to honor both holidays!
The next time Thanksgivukkah will be celebrated is in 79,043 years from now, according to one estimate. Another suggests Thanksgivukkah will take place in 2070 and 2165.

For fun and educational activities for children go to http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/

Directions to play the Dreidel game.  Play for Hershey kisses, a great way to have fun with the kids when they are home from school! http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/dreidel-game.html

Happy Hanukkah!

Thanksgiving an American Holiday

untitled (4)Celebrate on: Fourth Thursday in November

Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to visit family and friends.

The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their dissenting religion without interference. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall’s bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast.

The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition — not only because so many other Americans have found prosperity but also because the Pilgrims’ sacrifices for their freedom still captivate the imagination.

To this day, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the meal begins, families or friends usually pause to give thanks for their blessings, including the joy of being united for the occasion.

Holiday Boat Parade in Patchogue

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Sunday, November 24th at 6 PM

The 20th annual boat parade will be taking place this weekend along Patchogue Village’s riverfront. A preview night Saturday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. will allow residents to view the boats and vote for awards. Boats can be viewed from The Oar, 264 West Avenue in Patchogue, Harbor Crab, 116 Division St. in Patchogue, and Off Key Tikki, 31 Baker Place in Patchogue. The parade itself will take place Sunday around 6 p.m. and can be viewed from Sandspit Park: Davis Park Ferry Terminal on Brightwood St. or Fire Island National Seashore: Watch Hill Ferry Terminal on West Ave. More information is available at www.patchogueboatparade.com.

Au Pair Enjoy Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

The Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America!

The Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America!

DSCN0270On Sunday, November 17th, 200 au pairs from Au Pair in America enjoyed a truly NY holiday tradition at Radio City Musical Hall.  The au pairs loved the Rockettes and the whole Christmas Spectacular!  The show was truly spectacular!DSCN0272DSCF2655

Veteran’s Day is Monday, November 11th!

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Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Do you know the difference?

Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who died serving our country.

On a Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military.

Veterans Day is observed on November 11th of each year. This day used to be called Armistice Day.

What can children do for  Veterans Day?


* Draw a picture about Veterans Day.  Click here for some Veteran’s Day coloring pages


* Make a card to thank veterans. You can send your card to a    local VA Medical Center.


Click here for Veteran’s Nursing Home

Click here for Veteran’s Hospital

Welcoming home her Daddy!

Suffolk County, Long Island is home to the largest population of veterans in New York State, and has one of the largest veterans’ populations of any county in the United States.

Au Pair Orientation

Au Pair in America provides a comprehensive Orientation for all our au pairs before they go out to their host families.  When each au pair arrives at the NY airport, she is welcomed and transported to the the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, NY.  There she is met by an Au Pair in America Orientation staff member, given some valuable information, room assignment and a chance to check into her room for rest. Three full days follow started each day with early wake up calls.   The importance of being on time is emphasized so the meeting run smoothly and au pairs learn to understand the importance of time in America.

998798_10152025733573792_1279016968_n[1]Noelle from Germany was welcomed to America by their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  She is going to a family in Pt. Jefferson, LI, NY and will be joining a cluster of about 30 au pairs.

At Orientation the agenda includes:

  • An Introduction the United States and Au Pair in America
  • “The Three No’s” – No drugs, no alcohol under 18 and never while driving or caring for children, no child abuse (Au Pairs are sent home if they abuse drugs, alcohol or children!!)
  • The Role of the Community Counselor
  • Living in America – Cultural adaptation and communication with their American families
  • Childcare safety and media
  • American Red Cross Child Safety Workshop
  • The American Family
  • Child Care in America – managing American Children – Communication and discipline
  • Living in America – auto insurance and health insurance

    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

3 meals a day, time to socialize with the other au pairs and the Orientation Staff.  There is even an evening tour of NYC!  Au Pairs submit questions anonymously all week and every question is answered by the staff to the group before they go home.

Au Pairs leave Orientation on Day 4 at 3 PM and head out to 35 states and hundreds of host families.  Everyone is excited to depart and begin a year as an Au Pair in America!

Halloween in Stony Brook Village!

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Jenny and her host kids check out the APIA Scarecrow

Jenny and her host kids check out the APIA Scarecrow

Stony Brook Village hosted a fun filled Halloween for families this year!  Au Pair in America Senior Community Counselor Cindy Garruba invited host families and au pairs to join her at the festivities.  Cindy handed out Halloween coloring books to the children who stopped to see the Au Pair in America Scarecrow.  DSCN0224

There were crafts and games for the children and a really big crowd.  Everyone loved the scarecrows and the entertainment from the local dance school.  Even Walkie Bear from radio station 97.5 was there with the DJs from the station.  It was a great place to spend a safe and happy Halloween!DSCN0226

Au Pair in America Halloween in Stony Brook

Meet Cindy Garruba

Suffolk County Senior Community Counselor

for Au Pair in America

Halloween in Stony Brook Village

3:30- 4:30 PM

Check out the APIA Scarecrow near the Post Office

Costume Parade for the Kids


October 31, 2013-October 31, 2013
Stony Brook Village Event(02:00 PM-05:00 PM)

23rd Annual Halloween Festival

Join us in the Stony Brook Village Center for our 23rd Annual Halloween Festival! Trick or treat in the shops, meet Walkie Bear from WALK-FM Radio, enjoy a performance from Spotlight Dance Academy, receive a free mini pumpkin, participate in a Halloween costume parade with Monster Merlin, and play games in Inner Court. This event is free!

Location: Stony Brook Village Center

631-751-2244

More Info



Halloween Safety Tips

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Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross wantsyour family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips,

the Lucky 13:

  1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
  2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
  3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
  4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
  5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing  to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
  6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
  7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
  8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
  9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a  safety gamble!
  10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no  to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
  11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
  12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
  13. For additional information on how you and your family can be prepared for emergencies on Halloween or on any day of the year, please visit www.RedCross.org